ACC2000: Microsoft Access and Untested Networks (209161)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2000
This article was previously published under Q209161
This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

SUMMARY

This article describes some of the irregular behaviors that can occur when you try to use Microsoft Access with networks that have not been tested with Microsoft Access. These networks include DEC Pathworks, UNIX NFS, and others.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Access has been tested and verified as supportable on the following networks:
  • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 2000
  • Novell NetWare 3.x/4.x
  • Banyan Vines 6/7 (with applicable patches)
  • IBM Lanserver version 4.0
  • Artisoft LANtastic 6.x or later
Other network types (including DEC Pathworks and UNIX NFS) have experienced irregular behaviors and only limited success with Microsoft Access. Irregular behaviors on these network types can include:
  • An inability to install Microsoft Access to a network drive.
  • An inability to install Microsoft Access to a workstation from a network drive.
  • An inability to open a multiuser file (non-exclusively).
  • Multiple users cannot update a record correctly.
  • Unexplained database corruption or data loss.
Some of these behaviors are serious. Microsoft wants to protect its customers' valuable data, and the best way to do this is to support Microsoft Access only on networks on which Microsoft has tested Access. Microsoft cannot support Microsoft Access on non-tested networks.

Note Access was not tested on a Citrix server. Therefore, Access is supported on a best-effort basis on a Citrix server.

However, just because we have not tested Microsoft Access with a particular network, does not mean that the network does not work with Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Windows has been tested with far more networks than has Microsoft Access. It is a good idea, before purchasing any product, to check with the product's manufacturer as to the product's compatibility with your network.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/24/2004
Keywords:kbinfo kbsetup KB209161 kbAudDeveloper
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.